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Are you frustrated about how slow your hair is growing, or want it to grow faster? Well I stumbled upon a hair growth chart put together by NaturallyCurly.Com This chart is a handy and infographic to help you figure out what’s normal as well as tips for helping your hair grow.

Figuring out how to keep our hair soft and moisturized can be a challenge. In the winter, the air is drier, and the harsh winds can give our curls and coils a beating.

Over on the CurlTalk forum, curlies are discussing ways to ensure the moisture stays locked in. Does multiple day hair without remoisturizing seem like a distant dream? Try the hair product-layering combo of liquid, oil, cream — aka the L.O.C. method — to keep your hair soft this winter!

The LOC Method

First apply water (or a water-based leave-in) to moisturize the hair.

Lightly seal that layer with your favorite oil.

Next, seal that with a butter or cream and style.

The idea behind the L.O.C. method is that each layer seals the one before it. Many of you say this method is great for sealing in the moisture and achieving multiple day hair without re-upping on product application during the week.

Natural Hair Tutorial: The L.O.C. Method

by NaturallyDemure

Variations of the L.O.C. MethodAchieving super soft hair status might be a one-take success or a process of trial and error because there are variations of LOC method. After perusing forums, blogs and videos, here are a couple ways we noticed people use the method to moisturize their hair:

The common factor between these variations is that, unlike many naturally curly hair routines, sealing with oil isn’t the last step. Usually after applying leave-ins and stylers, we seal the length of our hair or just our ends with oil. The L.O.C. method doesn’t stop there. For some people, that extra step keeps their hair moisturized longer.

Those with thin, fine, or naturally smooth-to-the-touch coils may find that this method weighs down their hair. Through trial and error, all hair types will have to figure out the right amount of product that their unique head of hair needs.

If you’re interested in trying something different in your hair routine this winter, consider the L.O.C. method! When first testing it out, remember a little product goes a long way.

A few weeks back pictures were posted of Tia Mowry rocking a curly teeny weeny afro. Well the actress has now been spotted with a straightened version of the look and it’s absolutely gorgeous! She recently spoke to US Weekly about her big chop experience and her is what she had to say:

Tia Mowry: “I cried! I’m just going to be honest with you, I definitely cried. I really wasn’t expecting the shock value… A lot of people ask me, ‘What advice would you give to women who want to chop it off?’ I said, ‘Don’t think about it because if you do you won’t do it.’ But it’s very liberating and it definitely saves time…

I am so happy that I decided to cut my hair. It literally takes me three minutes to do my hair. I get out of the shower, put some conditioner in it, and it’s just ‘let’s go’ and I love that! I think it’s very very important to find products that allow us to be able to have more time to do things like that.”

Preshampoo treatment – Add 2-4 tbsps of EVOO to your dry unwashed hair. Apply to the ends first. Use the rest in your scalp. Cover your hair with a plastic cap for 15-20mins (with or without heat). Wash and condition as usual.

Scalp oil – Add 2 tbsps of EVOO to a applicator bottle. Place bottle in warm water to heat up. Test on wrist until desired temp is reached. Apply to the scalp and massage for 10-15 mins. The oil will help dandruff and dryness and the massage will promote growth.

Leave-in – You can use a dab of EVOO over your leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture thus helping to retain a proper moisture balance.

If you have been a part of the natural movement as long as I have, you would have seen hundreds of “natural” hair products come and go. From having nothing specifically geared towards our natural hair in 2000 to 2012 and having the choice of hundreds of hair products has been quite a surge, and a goldmine for those jumping on the natural bandwagon to try to get us to purchase their hair care lines. It can all get confusing.

So I am now going to attempt to decipher for you, the most popular hair product types and their purpose…

GELS

USE: Gels are used to hold – to tame the hair flat –or slick it back. Also used to maintain a curl which is set when wet. Gels can defy humidity and gravity, and are valuable for the times your hair must stay in position.

PROs: Gels impart shine and control. Used as a last step your hair can be set in position by using a simple satin scarf or warm heat of a bonnet dryer. Light, natural gels such as aloe and flax seed gels can be used to start locs.

CONs: Gels often contain alcohol which is incredibly drying. Cetearyl Alcohol is an exception to this rule. If you use a gel that is too strong or drying, it can make your hair very stiff and brittle.

POMADES / BUTTERS

USE: Pomades are an old school term we used to use when talking about “grease”. These days, pomades take on many names. You may see them as butters, whips, puddings and creams. Pomades are used to add lasting moisture and control, sometimes shine to dry hair. Pomades may also contain oils and therapeutics to treat hair and scalp conditions.

PROs: Pomades are very valuable additions to the natural hair care routine. They nourish, moisturize and protect your hair. Used correctly they can assist in length retention and heal dandruff and other scalp conditions. Pomades are usually used on dry hair on a daily basis.

CONs: Be very careful what type of pomade you use. They can and do often contain ingredients which coat the hair shaft and can be very difficult to wash out. The wrong pomade can attract dust, dirt and lint to your hair. If a pomade contains glycerin as a main ingredient, use with caution and if petrolatum is listed, be extra careful as this will coat your hair and can aggravate scalp conditions. Never, ever use pomades on locs.

WHIPS

USE: Whips are normally lighter versions of pomades, used for defining and hold – rarely containing heavy ingredients such as petrolatum and heavy oils.

PROs: A true whip can be used more generously than a pomade and does not cause the buildup that pomades can. Think of a whip like a heavier version of a mousse.

CONs: Whips can be expensive as they are more processed than ordinary pomades and do not last as long since you tend to use more, and more often.

SPRITZES

USE: Spritzes are mixtures of water, carrier oils, essential oils, glycerine and other refreshing ingredients. Spritzes are sometimes promoted as leave-in-conditioners and can be used on wet or dry hair. Used on dry hair, the water fluffs the hair out and eventually evaporates, leaving whatever other conditioning mixtures on the hair.

PROs: Spritzes have a cooling effect on the scalp and can be valuable to prevent itching when wearing styles that require a tight base, such as with box braids and locs.

CONs: Spritzes containing glycerine will have the effect of drying your hair out if you use too much of it. Otherwise, not many cons about spritzes!

MOUSSE

USE: Mousses are like a hair cream similar to shaving cream in a bottle. Under pressure you press the button on the can and into your palm where it expands like shaving cream. You then apply it throughout your damp hair.

PROs: A mousse can give your hair an incredible shine, which is what it is intended to do. It can also have an effect similar to gel, where it provides a light hold to your hairstyle.

CONs: Mousses normally contain some amount of alcohol which is drying. Mousses can be costly and if used to often (eg daily) will dry your hair out.

OILS

USE: Carrier oils such as Jojoba, Olive, Argan, Black Castor are used to condition the hair and scalp. They can be used as is on wet, damp or dry hair, or as an ingredient in shampoos, conditioners and pomades.

PROs: Oils can create a healthy environment for the scalp, encouraging growth relieving some scalp conditions. Oils can protect the hair from drying elements. You do not need much of any oil and they are generally inexpensive and easily found in supermarkets and health food stores.

CONs: Oils coat the hair shaft. If you use to much of any oil you will end up with an oily, dripping mess. Some hair types do not respond to oils at all. Some people are sensitive to certain oils and you should always test inside your elbow or on a sensitive part of your scalp before using an oil all over your head.

MASQUES / MUD

USE: Hair masques or muds are deep treatments. Used after shampooing, a masque is applied to damp hair and usually left to dry to a hard helmet on the hair, then rinsed off. Masques are often used to repair broken and damaged hair.

PROs: Using the correct masque for your hair can have an instant restorative effect. Masques repair and smooth the cuticle and are left on long enough to allow its nutrients to penetrate the hair shaft.

CONs: Masques are often protein-based so if you have natural afro hair, you need to ensure it is not over the top in protein. Protein is valuable to damaged straight hair, but can cause brittleness in natural hair. Ensure your masque is specifically made for natural afro hair before using it.

PUDDINGS

USE: Hair puddings are called puddings because of their texture. They are like pudding or jello. Puddings are often deep conditioners and designed to be rinsed out, though many are left in and used prior to heat styling as a protectant or as a simple leave in. Puddings impart shine and hold.

PROs: It generally depends on what the pudding is used for that determines its pros and cons. Conditioning puddings can be very effective leave in conditioners and styling aids. Most puddings contain water as a main ingredient, so can impart long lasting moisture to your hair.

CONs: Puddings are for specific use and don’t last long as you generally use much more of a pudding in a single application. Again, the cons depend on the purpose of the pudding. As with any product, make sure it does not contain ingredients that will dry your hair out, or is too high in protein.

I have put this list together to describe what I see out there in the natural hair product marketplace. The natural hair product industry is in no way standardized. Some manufacturers’ products described here or shown in these terms may have a different use. This list is a general guide.

What is it you say? Hairtyping is a trap? But I need to know what “type” my hair is so I can find the right products for me, right?

Well, yes and no and how far are you going to push it? You can analyse every strand on your head and check for a curl. Then you can scour Andre’s system and hope you qualify to be a Type 3 and if not, buy hundreds of $$ worth of product seeking that elusive “curl definition”. You will start comparing your hair to the hair of others and yours will not be as “good a grade” as who you are comparing to, but a “better grade” than that of others. You will scour the internet looking for websites that promise to deliver the texture YOU want and promote re-texturizing, sometimes by using untested, potentially dangerous chemical and vitamin combinations in an effort to achieve what your scalp stubbornly refuses to give you.

The internet is clogged with websites promoting miracle texture-changing devices, gadgets and tonics to fix your “bad grade of hair”. You will see the pictures of the before (with their nappy hair) and the after (with their curly, shiny hair). And these are all ‘regular folk’ just like you! These websites are all primed to sit there and take advantage of your money and your time. When it doesn’t work for you, you will buy something else, then something else, then something else… maybe take some extra-strength pregnancy vitamins (even though you’re not pregnant) or hair-miracle growth pills in an effort to speed up the growth process; and put substances into your body that aren’t meant to be in your system.

Or you can check your hair out in the mirror, wash it, dry it, look at it and understand what you are seeing is what your body has given you, how you have treated it has resulted in its condition – and then decide to work with your unique crown to make it the healthiest it can be.

It’s your choice.

Of course you need to know what you have on your head in order to use the right tools to work with it. Of that there is no doubt. Since you are on Nappturality seeking hair advice, then chances are your hair or the hair you are seeking information on is natural, non-chemically re-texturized, afro-type hair.

Natural afro-hair in general has a natural spring to it, a lift and a density that characterizes its rich texture. In saying that, your hair is unique in its pattern, density, thickness, strand strength. With every twist and curve, your hair defines itself. You may even have multiple textures in your hair. Your own natural, afro—type hair is not like the hair of any other on the planet.

Once you know you have afro-type hair, then you can start working with your crown in a way that enhances what is naturally yours. You can see your hair by looking in the mirror and putting your hands on your tresses. Does your hair feel dry or coarse? Does it feel soft and moisturized? Does it spring back when you push it or does it just hang there, limply with no life at all? Because what you see may not be in the best condition, so it may not reflect itself in its healthiest state.

Focus on using healthy products meant for your hair and healthy styling techniques. It may sound cliché, but in order to have healthy hair on the outside, you must feed your body with healthy food on the inside. In order to have hydrated hair, you must have a hydrated body. Drink plenty of water, limit your sugar intake. Cover your hair when out in full sun for extended periods of time and stay away from petroleum based pomades and greases or too much glycerin. Use rich, natural conditioners and leave ins and be gentle in styling techniques. In basic terms, that is all you need to do to succeed.

Obsessing about your hairtype and comparing yours to others will not make you feel good about your hair. Don’t fall into the trap.

You may know that scarves are the hot accessory trend right now! And anyone who knows me, knows I’m a HUGE scarf lover! I own so many scarves I can’t keep up. I wear them all year round and with just about everything. So to welcome in the Fall/Winter season I am posting a tutorial I found on the internet that is SO COOL! It’s an easy-peasy, do it yourself, no sew, infinity scarf project you can do in the comfort of your own home. So Without Further A Do Let’s Get Crafting!

Here’s What You Need:
Old T-Shirt
Good Scissors

Go through your old T-shirts and find a daring print or color combo. For a cleaner look, choose a solid.

Cut horizontally across the shirt, just below the armholes, to create a rectangular tube.

Working your way around the tube, make a series of vertical cuts that extend from the raw edge upward. The longer the cut, the longer the fringe will be.

Tug down on each strand to elongate it. You can also have some additional fun with it by knotting some of the ends!

If you are as old as I am I’m quite sure you remember the all famous line of “Calgon take me AWAY!” Well today my friends I have just the thing for you, BATH BOMBS. Everybody loves bath bombs. It’s like taking a bath in champagne, only without the show tunes and chorus boys. They are fairly simple to make and are the perfect gift for that special someone. Or just simply use them as a special treat for yourself.

For this recipe, the ingredients are pretty common and easy to find in most areas. Essential oils can be found in small amounts at places like health food stores and craft stores. Just make sure, if you buy fragrance oil, that you are buying “body safe” oils and not the stuff for candles or oil warmers. So get the music playing, the candles lit and the wine poured. It’s time to get pampered.

Oh, the woes of dry, natural hair! If your hair is lacking moisture, hydration, then cooperation is not happening. Does your natural hair seem to soak up moisture in a few hours as if the other twenty doesn’t need to be accounted for? Dry, brittle, unmanageable, frizzy is in your frame of reference when describing your hair? It probably can benefit from a deep conditioner. To remedy dry hair, try working with ten natural foods, like ripe, yummy avocados and golden, sweet bananas, both full of natural oils straight from the pantry. Why? Not anti-product, but weed out the best products that actually work and not pay so much to achieve beautiful, manageable hair. While avocados are pricey, the benefit of getting 100% avocado chock full of nutrients, and not a hybrid of 30 other ingredients, is priceless!

Here are ten edible items that can be use as an natural deep conditioner and their benefits for hair:

It’s best to blend all items in a blender to ensure a well-blended mix. Feel free to add drops of natural oils like lavender or rose for an invigorating scent and know you aren’t marry to the exact specifications of these formulas! Try them all—add or deduct what works best for your hair. After all, all hair is not created equal.

Dry curly hair, especially dry African-American curly hair, is normal! Our hair is naturally curly, coarse and dry, it’s just how it grows out of our heads. With straight hair, it’s easy for the natural oils to travel down the hair shaft, keeping it moisturized. But with curly, coily hair, it’s a lot harder for the oils to navigate, which causes the hair to remain dry, especially towards the ends. So don’t assume that because your hair is dry, it’s always an indication of how well you care for your hair, or signs of neglect. Most of the time it’s just a characteristic of our hair! I can moisturize the heck out of my hair and still have it be dry by the end of the day.

With that being said, there are ways that we can return the moisture to our hair! There are solutions, but know that they wont be permanent. Since our hair is naturally dry, you’ll need to repeat these processes daily and weekly in order for your hair to remain moisturized. Similar to drinking water to keep hydrated, and plants that need to be watered every single day, our hair needs the same treatment or it will return to it’s natural dry state.

Personally, my hair is really thirsty and get’s dry really fast. In order to keep my hair moisturized I do the following “regimen.” I’m not perfect in doing the same thing every single month, but I always do some variation of the following:

Daily Moisture Treatments:

One of the most simple solutions to combating dry hair on a daily basis is to apply water on your hair day and night. In my experience, it’s not enough to just apply products or oils to your dry hair, it needs water first. The water is the moisture, while the oils and products are what seals the moisture in.

I fill my spray bottle with two-thirds water and one-third aloe vera juice. Then give my hair a light spritz every morning and night, just enough to penetrate my strands, but not enough to make my hair soaking wet, so it doesn’t ruin my style. I add the aloe vera juice because of it’s amazing healing properties. It also helps to ease frizz and calms the ends of your hair.

This method works well on any style you’re wearing: wash and go, twist out, bantu knot out, etc.. The only style you won’t want to do this to is a silky, smooth flat- ironed style, as the water might revert your straight hair.

Give them a try if you’re not protein sensitive! Otherwise, use any deep conditioner of your choice at least once per week in order to infuse moisture and beneficial minerals and vitamins to your hair.

After your deep conditioning treatment, while your hair is wet, be sure to seal in the moisture with your favorite oil-based hair product.

Anytime Moisture Treatments:

“Water Bagging“
If you’re hanging around the house with nothing to do, why not condition your hair! A really quick way to infuse moisture into your hair without a lot of fuss, is to “water bag”.

Spritz your hair with water (and aloe vera juice if you like) and throw on a plastic cap! Keep it on for as long as you want. You can even sleep with it on if you want to! When you take the plastic cap off, your hair will be extremely soft, and the best part, there’s nothing to wash out! Just follow up with your favorite oil-based hair product to seal the moisture in.

“Conditioning on The Go”
This is one of my favorite things to do, especially in the extreme cold of winter and extreme heat of summer. I uploaded a video of this to my Youtube Channel, but I’ll also attach it here!

So that’s basically all I do to retain the moisture in my hair. Again, my hair is naturally very dry, but these simple daily and weekly treatments really help me maintain the moisture. There’s a lot of products out there that promise to help you retain your moisture, but for me, water, shea butter, and various oils has done wonders for the structure of my strands.

Again, not everyone’s hair is the same, but I believe that water is the best moisturizer you can use. I think what makes the difference is the product that you use to seal the water in. If your hair has a looser curl pattern, you can get away with lighter products to seal the moisture in, like light oils. But if you have a tighter curl pattern, you’ll want to stick to heavier creamier products, like butters (shea, mango, etc…) to really help the hair absorb the moisture.

So I hope this post helped guys! Have a great week and I’ll talk to you soon!